Method and system for providing a visual indication that a video relay service call originates from an inmate at a corrections facility

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for providing a visual indication that a video relay service (VRS) call originates from an inmate at a corrections facility, in which the method includes initiating a video relay service (VRS) call from a corrections facility between a called party and an inmate incarcerated at the corrections facility; and displaying a visual indication on a VRS client used by the called party, the visual indication including at least one of a visual indication that the VRS call is originating from a corrections facility, a visual indication that the VRS call is from an inmate incarcerated at a corrections facility, and a visual indication that the VRS call is being recorded.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/795,183 filed on Oct. 26, 2017, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/413,972, filed on Oct. 27, 2016,which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications services for callerswho are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech impaired, and in particular tovideo relay service (VRS).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional telephony presents a problem for persons who are who aredeaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired (D-HOH-SI). Communication bytelephone requires each party to a telephone call to be able to hearand/or speak to the other party on the call to communicate. For hearingor speech impaired persons, audio communication is difficult orimpossible, making telephone communication difficult or impossible.

Early approaches to facilitating telecommunications for D-HOH-SI personsincluded text-based telecommunications relay service (TRS). Text-basedTRS services allow a D-HOH-SI person to communicate with other peopleover an existing telecommunications network using devices capable oftransmitting and receiving text characters over the telecommunicationsnetwork. Such devices include the telecommunications device for the deaf(TDD) and the teletypewriter (TTY). Text-based TRS services werewell-suited to the bandwidth limitations of subscriber lines of thetime. The bandwidth limitations of subscriber lines were also a limitingfactor in the widespread use of video telephony.

The availability of affordable, high-speed packet-switchedcommunications has led to the growth in the use of video relay services(VRS) by D-HOH-SI persons. Using VRS equipment, D-HOH-SI persons canplace video calls to communicate between themselves and with hearingindividuals using sign language. VRS equipment enables D-HOH-SI personsto talk to hearing individuals via a sign language interpreter, who usesa conventional telephone at the same time to communicate with the partyor parties with whom the D-HOH-SI person wants to communicate. Theinterpretation flow is normally within the same principal language, suchas American Sign Language (ASL) to spoken English or spoken Spanish.

VRS calls present a unique set of issues in a corrections environment(e.g., prison, juvenile detention center, etc.). In the hearing world oftelephones, when an inmate of a corrections facility makes a telephonecall there is an auditory warning to the called party that says the callis from an inmate (for example, in case Caller ID is disabled or notsufficient). The called party is presented with the options to press 1to accept the call or to press 2 to disconnect the call before theinmate is connected with the called party. In a VRS video terminal usedby non-hearing persons there is no dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF)mechanism to provide a touch tone menu option to disconnect the callbefore the inmate is connected with the called party. Also, playing anaudio message that the call is from an inmate cannot be used because thenon-hearing party can't hear the audio message that the call is from aninmate. Also, there isn't any DTMF recognition in a VRS call, so thereis no touch tone recognition to interrogate and respond like there is inthe telephone world.

Another problem in the prior it is the scenario where an inmate in thefederal prison is deaf, applies to make a call to a person who is notincarcerated, a spouse for example. The corrections facility approvesthe inmate's application to call the number. The spouse accepts thecalls and then later in their relationship the spouse decides that sheno longer wants to accept the calls from inmate. After her number hasbeen approved to be called from the inmate, she no longer wishes toreceive those calls but the bureaucratic process of preventing thosecalls by that inmate can take weeks to be processed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method forproviding a visual indication that a video relay service (VRS) calloriginates from an inmate at a corrections facility, in which the methodincludes initiating a video relay service (VRS) call from a correctionsfacility between a called party and an inmate incarcerated at thecorrections facility; and displaying a visual indication on a VRS clientused by the called party, the visual indication including at least oneof: a visual indication that the VRS call is originating from acorrections facility, a visual indication that the VRS call is from aninmate incarcerated at a corrections facility, and a visual indicationthat the VRS call is being recorded.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a video relayservice (VRS) system for providing a visual indication that a videorelay service (VRS) call originates from an inmate at a correctionsfacility. The system can comprise one or more video relay serviceclients adapted and programmed to perform the steps of initiating avideo relay service (VRS) call from a corrections facility between acalled party and an inmate incarcerated at the corrections facility; anddisplaying a visual indication on a VRS client used by the called party,the visual indication including at least one of: a visual indicationthat the VRS call is originating from a corrections facility, a visualindication that the VRS call is from an inmate incarcerated at acorrections facility, and a visual indication that the VRS call is beingrecorded.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should alsobe realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more thorough understanding of the present invention, andadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a video relay service (VRS) systemin accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for providing a visual indicationthat a video relay service (VRS) call originates from an inmate at acorrections facility according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and systemfor providing a visual indication that a video relay service (VRS) calloriginates from an inmate at a corrections facility. When an inmate at acorrections facility places a VRS call, the called party receives anotification of an incoming call on the called party's VRS system. For apredetermined duration (e.g., 15 seconds, 1 minute, any duration), avisual indication is displayed that indicates the incoming calloriginates from an inmate at a corrections facility. The visualindication can be a string of characters forming a text-based message.The visual indication can be static image. The visual indication canalso comprise the playing of a video. The visual indication can compriseany means of displaying in a VRS call a visual warning on the screen ofthe called party indicating that the call is from an inmate of acorrections facility. The visual indication can include an indication ofthe identity of the inmate. The visual indication can include theidentity of the corrections facility. For example, the visual indicationcan comprise a video in American Sign Language that says the call isfrom an inmate and tells the called party exactly how long the calledparty has to accept the call. A static image can be displayed with textwithin the image that says the call is from an inmate and the calledparty has, for example, 15 seconds to disconnect before the call isconnected. The medium that is displayed on the called party's screen caninclude, but is not limited to, a video stream, a joint photographicexperts group (JPEG) static image, a portable network graphics (PNG)static image, or whatever format affords the called party an opportunityto disconnect. In one embodiment, if the called party does not wish toaccept the call, the called party can select an option to disconnect thecall immediately without ever seeing the inmate. In some embodiments, ifthe called party does not wish to accept the call, the called party canselect an option to disconnect the call immediately without ever seeingthe inmate. In other embodiments, if the called party does not wish toaccept the call, the called party can select an option to disconnect thecall immediately without the inmate ever seeing the called party. Inother embodiments, if the called party does not wish to accept the call,the called party can select an option to disconnect the call immediatelywithout the inmate ever seeing the called party and without the calledparty ever seeing the inmate.

In one embodiment, a flag in a call manager identifies the calling partyas an inmate. The call manager only presents the visual indication tothe called party if the calling party is an inmate. So, in the case ofan employee who is hearing impaired and using the system to make a callout of the corrections facility, then the call manager can turn thatwarning off for the employee who is using the same system. The visualindication that the call was originated by an inmate is disabled. Theopportunity to disconnect prior to accepting the call can also bedisabled.

The visual indication can be a user-selectable option to play a videoshould or a static image that contains text. The static image can besimilar to a broadcast television test pattern where a static image isdisplayed instead of a video. The videos, the .png or the jpeg imagefile that are presented can be customized. The visual indication can becustomized according to user preference. The user can be a securityadministrator of a corrections facility responsible for inmatecommunications. For a period of time, selectable by the user, the calledparty is notified in some form that is in a video on their screen. Onthe screen, an image is displayed that warns the called party that thiscall is from an inmate. The image can be a static video image or aplaying video file, such as a video in American Sign Language (ASL). Astatic video image can be used for a person who can read. A video can beused for person can't read, but who may understand ASL. So the systemcan play an actual video in ASL that warns the called party that thecall is from an inmate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a video relay service (VRS) systemwith automated call recording in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. User 104 is located in proximity to VRS client 105 sothat user 104 can interact with VRS client 105. User 104 is preferably aperson who is deaf (D), hard-of-hearing (HOH), speech-impaired (SI), orany other person who communicates via sign language. User 104 can be aninmate in a corrections environment (e.g., prison, juvenile detentioncenter, etc.). User 104 interacts with VRS client 105 by viewing videoon display 106. Display 106 is any device suitable for displaying touser 104 a video signal of a sign language interpreter, such as signlanguage interpreter 114, in sufficient quality so that a person fluentin sign language can comprehend the sign language interpreter. VRSclient 105 includes a video capture device suitable for capturing avideo signal of user 104 within the field-of-view of the camera atsufficient quality and frame rate to support sign language communicationwith sign language interpreter 114. VRS client 105 also includeshardware and/or software to, substantially in real-time, convert thecaptured video signal into a data stream suitable for transmission overpacket-switched network 130, such as an internet protocol (IP) network,over network link 132. VRS client 106 also includes hardware and/orsoftware to transmit the data stream over packet-switched network 130 atsufficient network speed so that a remote VRS client, such as VRS client115, can display the data stream as video on a display device, such asdisplay 116, in sufficient quality for sign language interpreter 114 tocomprehend sign language in the displayed video. VRS client 105 can alsoinclude hardware and/or software to, substantially in real-time, receivea data stream from a remote VRS terminal, such as VRS terminal 115, frompacket-switched network 130 over network link 132, convert the datastream into a suitable video signal, and output the video signal todisplay 106. In a corrections environment, VRS client 105 can be locatedat the facility where user 104 is incarcerated to that user 104 cancommunicate with persons who are not located at the facility, such asfamily, an attorney, or clergy. VRS client 105 can apply videowatermarks to the VRS call. The video watermarks can include a visualindication that informs one or more parties to the call that the call isbeing recorded. The video watermarks can include a time and/or dateindication. The video watermarks can include an identificationassociated with one or more of the parties to the call, such as aninmate identification number and/or an identification of the correctionsfacility.

Signaling over packet-switched network 130 is preferably implementedusing session initiation protocol (SIP). Alternatively, signaling overpacket-switched network 130 is implemented using the H.323 standard fromthe International Telecommunication Union TelecommunicationStandardization Sector (ITU-T). Those skilled in the art will recognizethat any signaling means suitable for transmitting and receiving videosubstantially in real-time is within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, display 106 can be a high definition flatpanel display with digital inputs, such as digital visual interface(DVI) or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connectors. VRSclient 105 can include digital outputs, such as digital visual interface(DVI) or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connectors. VRSclient 105 can connect to display 106 via compatible cabling, as isknown in the art. User 104 can operate VRS client 105 by a remote inputdevice, such as an infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or Bluetooth®handheld remote. VRS client 105 can include a digital video cameraassembly mounted to the front-facing (i.e., user-facing) panel. Thedigital video camera can include an active pixel sensor, such as acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a chargedcoupled device (CCD) sensor. VRS client 105 can include a networkinterface for establishing network link 132 with packet-switched network130, such as Ethernet support and a wired an RJ-45 connector and/or IEEE802.11 “Wi-Fi” connectivity. VRS client 105 can include one or moreuniversal serial bus (USB) connectors for connecting USB devices, suchas flash accessory that can be used to alert a D-HOH user that anincoming call is waiting to be answered. VRS client 105 can also includean interface for flash storage media, such as a Secure Digital (SD)non-volatile memory card. VRS client 105 can include a clamp that can beused to fasten VRS terminal 105 to display 106 in so that the camerafaces user 104 as user 104 views display 106. The clamp can be opened tobe alternatively used as a desktop stand.

While the foregoing describes a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, one skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, a single device having anintegrated VRS client 105, 115 and display 106, 116 is within the scopeof the present invention. Moreover, VRS client 105, 115 can beimplemented as software executing on a general purpose computer meetingthe hardware requirements for video telephony over IP networks andprogrammed with software to perform the functions of VRS client 105, 115and display 106, 116 as disclosed herein is within the scope of thepresent invention. Such general purpose computers include desktoppersonal computers (PC), laptop computers, tablet computers,smartphones, etc. Portable devices such as smartphones and tabletshaving front-facing cameras and IP data connectivity can be particularlyuseful in helping D-HOH-SI persons communicate with hearing persons viaVRS service due to the mobility of the portable devices.

Returning to FIG. 1, VRS client 115 can be operated by the VRS serviceprovider. Sign language interpreter 114 is located in such a way thatinterpreter 114 can interact with VRS client 115. While only one signlanguage interpreter 114 and one VRS client 115 is shown, one skilled inthe art will understand that a VRS service provider may comprise a largeenterprise including hundreds of sign language interpreters (or more)and sufficient service side equipment to provide around the clock VRSservice to a large number of users.

Interpreter 114 is preferably a person who can communicate via signlanguage and is proficient at sign language translation. Display 116 canbe any device suitable for displaying to interpreter 114 the videosignal of a user 104 in sufficient quality so that interpreter 114 cancomprehend the sign language from user 104. VRS client 115 can include avideo capture device suitable for capturing a video signal ofinterpreter 114 within the field-of-view of the camera at sufficientquality and frame rate to support sign language communication with user104. VRS client 115 can also include hardware and/or software to,substantially in real-time, convert the captured video signal into adata stream suitable for transmission over packet-switched network 130,such as an internet protocol (IP) network, over network link 134. VRSclient 105 can also include hardware and/or software to transmit thedata stream over packet-switched network 130 at sufficient network speedso that VRS client 105 can display the data stream as video on displaydevice 106 in sufficient quality for user 104 to comprehend signlanguage in the displayed video. VRS client 115 can also includehardware and/or software to, substantially in real-time, receive a datastream from VRS client 105 from packet-switched network 130 over networklink 134, convert the data stream into a suitable video signal, andoutput the video signal to display 116.

Service side equipment can also include traditional public switchedtelephone network equipment (PSTN), shown in FIG. 1 as telephone 118.While a simple telephone 118 is shown, one skilled in the art wouldunderstand that any type of equipment for making and receiving PSTNcalls is within the scope of the present invention, including complexenterprise-level telephone systems, computers adapted for placingtelephone calls, and cellular telephones. Telephone 118 is connected tothe public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140 by network link 144 andis capable of making and receiving traditional circuit switchedtelephone calls to PSTN telephone numbers.

Hearing person 124 can be a person who has the ability to communicateover PSTN 140 using at least one spoken language via telephone 128.Telephone 128 is connected to the public switched telephone network(PSTN) 140 by network link 142 and is capable of making and receivingtraditional circuit switched telephone calls to PSTN telephone numbers.While a simple telephone 128 is shown, one skilled in the art wouldunderstand that any type of equipment for making and receiving PSTNcalls is within the scope of the present invention, including complexenterprise-level telephone systems, computers adapted for placingtelephone calls, and cellular telephones.

Rules gateway 135 is connected to packet-switched network 130 overnetwork link 136. Rules gateway 135 can be located in the correctionsenvironment where user 104 is located. Rules gateway 135 can be includedin service side equipment located at a facility operated by the VRSservice provider. Rules gateway 135 can be implemented as asoftware-as-a-service (SaaS) web service hosted in cloud networkingsystem and accessible by way of packet-switched network 130. Rulesgateway 135 can be used to determine whether a VRS call in a correctionsenvironment is to be recorded. Rules gateway 135 can be used to modifyVRS call properties for recording. The operation of rules gateway 135 isexplained in further detail with respect to FIG. 2.

Recorder 137 is a device that is capable of recording a VRS call,including audio, video, and any watermarks applied to the call. Recorder137 can be connected to packet-switched network 130 over network link138. Recorder 137 can be located in the corrections environment whereuser 104 is located. Recorder 137 can be included in service sideequipment located at a facility operated by the VRS service provider.Recorder 137 can be implemented as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) webservice hosted in cloud networking system and accessible by way ofpacket-switched network 130. Recorder 137 can be programmed toautomatically record a VRS call based on call properties associated withthe VRS call. The call properties can be modified by the VRS client 105in response to an instruction from rules gateway 135. The operation ofrecorder 137 is explained in further detail with respect to FIG. 2.

Rules gateway 135, recorder 137, VRS client 105, and VRS client 115 canbe implemented as separate and distinct systems that operate independentof location and communicate with each other by way of the Internet.Alternatively, one or more of rules gateway 135, recorder 137, VRSclient 105, and VRS client 115 can be combined to suit a particularapplication. For example, VRS client 105, rules gateway 135, andrecorder 137 can be integrated into one device for installation at acorrections facility that maintains its own recordings on-site. Morethan one device can also be provided for redundancy. For example, arecorder can be installed at a corrections facility and a recorder canbe installed at the service provider, each recorder separately recordingthe VRS call in case one recorder fails.

User 104 initiates a VRS video call with Interpreter 114. Interpreter114 then uses telephone 118 to call hearing person 124 on behalf of user104. The call to hearing person 124 may be placed automatically byservice side equipment. Interpreter 114 and user 104 communicate usingsign language via VRS client 105 and VRS client 115. Interpreter 114 andhearing person 124 communicate using spoken language via telephone 118and telephone 128. In this way, interpreter 114 acts as an intermediarybetween user 104 and hearing person 124, interpreting the communicationbetween user 104 and hearing person 124.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for providing a visual indicationthat a video relay service (VRS) call originates from an inmate at acorrections facility according to embodiments of the present invention.At step 204, an inmate initiates a VRS call from VRS system at acorrections facility, for example by means of session initiationprotocol (SIP). At step 206, VRS system displays a visual indication onthe called party's VRS system for a predetermined time period indicatingthat the call is from an inmate at a correction facility. At step 208,the VRS system determined whether the called party answers the callwithin the predetermined time period. If the called party accepts thecall within the predetermined time period, the VRS call is connectedbetween the inmate and the called party (step 210). If the called partydoes not accept the call within the predetermined time period, the VRScall is ended before the inmate sees the called party (step 212).

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of thepresent application is not intended to be limited to the particularembodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter,means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure ofthe present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions ofmatter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to bedeveloped that perform substantially the same function or achievesubstantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments describedherein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly,the appended claims are intended to include within their scope suchprocesses, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps.

I claim:
 1. A method for providing a visual indication that a videorelay service (VRS) call originates from an incarcerated inmate, themethod comprising: connecting a video relay service (VRS) call between acalled party and an incarcerated inmate; displaying a visual indicationon a VRS client used by the called party; wherein the visual indicationincludes a string of characters forming a text-based message including avisual warning that the call is from an incarcerated inmate ororiginating from a corrections facility.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: receiving an input from the called party, the inputindicating whether the called party wishes to proceed with the VRS callfrom the incarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating thatthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, allowing the video content of the VRS call to beconveyed between the called party and the incarcerated inmate; and inresponse to the input indicating that the called party does not acceptthe VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call. 3.The method of claim 2, in which, in response to the input indicatingthat the called party does not accept the VRS call from the incarceratedinmate, the VRS call is terminated.
 4. The method of claim 1, in whichthe visual indication is automatically displayed on the VRS client basedon a flag associated with the incarcerated inmate that identifies theincarcerated inmate as a calling party.
 5. The method of claim 1, inwhich the visual indication includes a sign language video.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, in which the visual indication includes a video of astatic image.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in responseto receiving no input within a predetermined period of time from thecalled party indicating whether the called party wishes to proceed withthe VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, allowing the video content ofthe VRS call to be conveyed between the called party and theincarcerated inmate.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, inresponse to receiving no input within a predetermined period of timefrom the called party, disconnecting the VRS call between the calledparty and the incarcerated inmate.
 9. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising, after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visualindication as a video watermark for the duration of the VRS call. 10.The system of claim 1 wherein the visual indication includes a visualwarning that the call is being recorded.
 11. A video relay service (VRS)system for providing a visual indication that a video relay service(VRS) call originates from an incarcerated inmate, the system comprisingone or more video relay service clients adapted and programmed toperform the steps of: connecting a video relay service (VRS) callbetween a called party and an incarcerated inmate; displaying a visualindication on a VRS client used by the called party; wherein the visualindication includes a string of characters forming a text-based messageincluding a visual warning that the call is from an incarcerated inmateor originating from a corrections facility.
 12. The system of claim 11,further comprising: receiving an input from the called party, the inputindicating whether the called party wishes to proceed with the VRS callfrom the incarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating thatthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, allowing the video content of the VRS call to beconveyed between the called party and the incarcerated inmate; and inresponse to the input indicating that the called party does not acceptthe VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call. 13.The system of claim 12, in which, in response to the input indicatingthat the called party does not accept the VRS call from the incarceratedinmate, the VRS call is terminated.
 14. The system of claim 11, in whichthe visual indication is automatically displayed on the VRS client basedon a flag associated with the inmate that identifies the incarceratedinmate as a calling party.
 15. The system of claim 11, in which thevisual indication includes a sign language video.
 16. The system ofclaim 11, in which the visual indication includes a video of a staticimage.
 17. The system of claim 11, further programmed for, in responseto receiving no input within a predetermined period of time from thecalled party indicating whether the called party wishes to proceed withthe VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, allowing the video contentthe VRS call to be conveyed between the called party and theincarcerated inmate.
 18. The system of claim 11, further programmed for,in response to receiving no input within a predetermined period of timefrom the called party, disconnecting the VRS call between the calledparty and the incarcerated inmate.
 19. The system of claim 11 furtherprogrammed for, after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visualindication as a video watermark for the duration of the VRS call. 20.The method of claim 11 wherein the visual indication includes a visualwarning that the call is being recorded.
 21. A method for providing avisual indication that a video relay service (VRS) call originates froman incarcerated inmate, the method comprising: connecting a video relayservice (VRS) call between a called party and an incarcerated inmate;displaying a visual indication on a VRS client used by the called party;wherein the visual indication includes a static image including a visualwarning that the call is from an incarcerated inmate or originating froma corrections facility.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:receiving an input from the called party, the input indicating whetherthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating that the calledparty wishes to proceed with the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate,allowing the video content of the VRS call to be conveyed between thecalled party and the incarcerated inmate; and in response to the inputindicating that the called party does not accept the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call.
 23. The method of claim22, in which, in response to the input indicating that the called partydoes not accept the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, the VRS callis terminated.
 24. The method of claim 21, in which the visualindication is automatically displayed on the VRS client based on a flagassociated with the incarcerated inmate that identifies the incarceratedinmate as a calling party.
 25. The method of claim 21, in which thevisual indication includes a sign language video.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, in which the visual indication includes a video of a staticimage.
 27. The method of claim 21 further comprising, in response toreceiving no input within a predetermined period of time from the calledparty indicating whether the called party wishes to proceed with the VRScall from the incarcerated inmate, allowing the video content of the VRScall to be conveyed between the called party and the incarceratedinmate.
 28. The method of claim 21 further comprising, in response toreceiving no input within a predetermined period of time from the calledparty, disconnecting the VRS call between the called party and theincarcerated inmate.
 29. The method of claim 21 further comprising,after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visual indication as avideo watermark for the duration of the VRS call.
 30. The method ofclaim 21 wherein the visual indication includes a visual warning thatthe call is being recorded.
 31. A method for providing a visualindication that a video relay service (VRS) call originates from anincarcerated inmate, the method comprising: connecting a video relayservice (VRS) call between a called party and an incarcerated inmate;displaying a visual indication on a VRS client used by the called party;wherein the visual indication includes a video including a visualwarning that the call is from an incarcerated inmate or originating froma corrections facility.
 32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:receiving an input from the called party, the input indicating whetherthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating that the calledparty wishes to proceed with the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate,allowing the video content of the VRS call to be conveyed between thecalled party and the incarcerated inmate; and in response to the inputindicating that the called party does not accept the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call.
 33. The method of claim32, in which, in response to the input indicating that the called partydoes not accept the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, the VRS callis terminated.
 34. The method of claim 31, in which the visualindication is automatically displayed on the VRS client based on a flagassociated with the incarcerated inmate that identifies the incarceratedinmate as a calling party.
 35. The method of claim 31, in which thevisual indication includes a sign language video.
 36. The method ofclaim 31, in which the visual indication includes a video of a staticimage.
 37. The method of claim 31 further comprising, in response toreceiving no input within a predetermined period of time from the calledparty indicating whether the called party wishes to proceed with the VRScall from the incarcerated inmate, allowing the video content of the VRScall to be conveyed between the called party and the incarceratedinmate.
 38. The method of claim 31 further comprising, in response toreceiving no input within a predetermined period of time from the calledparty, disconnecting the VRS call between the called party and theincarcerated inmate.
 39. The method of claim 31 further comprising,after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visual indication as avideo watermark for the duration of the VRS call.
 40. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the visual indication includes a visual warning thatthe call is being recorded.
 41. A video relay service (VRS) system forproviding a visual indication that a video relay service (VRS) calloriginates from an incarcerated inmate, the system comprising one ormore video relay service clients adapted and programmed to perform thesteps of: connecting a video relay service (VRS) call between a calledparty and an incarcerated inmate; displaying a visual indication on aVRS client used by the called party; wherein the visual indicationincludes a static image including a visual warning that the call is froman incarcerated inmate or originating from a corrections facility. 42.The system of claim 41 further programmed to perform the steps of:receiving an input from the called party, the input indicating whetherthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating that the calledparty wishes to proceed with the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate,allowing the video content of the VRS call to be conveyed between thecalled party and the incarcerated inmate; and in response to the inputindicating that the called party does not accept the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call.
 43. The system of claim42, in which, in response to the input indicating that the called partydoes not accept the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, the VRS callis terminated.
 44. The system of claim 41, in which the visualindication is automatically displayed on the VRS client based on a flagassociated with the incarcerated inmate that identifies the incarceratedinmate as a calling party.
 45. The system of claim 41, in which thevisual indication includes a sign language video.
 46. The system ofclaim 41, in which the visual indication includes a video of a staticimage.
 47. The system of claim 41 further programmed to perform thesteps of, in response to receiving no input within a predeterminedperiod of time from the called party indicating whether the called partywishes to proceed with the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate,allowing the video content of the VRS call to be conveyed between thecalled party and the incarcerated inmate.
 48. The system of claim 41further programmed to perform the steps of, in response to receiving noinput within a predetermined period of time from the called party,disconnecting the VRS call between the called party and the incarceratedinmate.
 49. The system of claim 41 further programmed to perform thesteps of, after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visualindication as a video watermark for the duration of the VRS call. 50.The system of claim 41 wherein the visual indication includes a visualwarning that the call is being recorded.
 51. A video relay service (VRS)system for providing a visual indication that a video relay service(VRS) call originates from an incarcerated inmate, the system comprisingone or more video relay service clients adapted and programmed toperform the steps of: connecting a video relay service (VRS) callbetween a called party and an incarcerated inmate; displaying a visualindication on a VRS client used by the called party; wherein the visualindication includes a video including a visual warning that the call isfrom an incarcerated inmate or originating from a corrections facility.52. The system of claim 51 further programmed to perform the steps of:receiving an input from the called party, the input indicating whetherthe called party wishes to proceed with the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate; in response to the input indicating that the calledparty wishes to proceed with the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate,allowing the video content of the VRS call to be conveyed between thecalled party and the incarcerated inmate; and in response to the inputindicating that the called party does not accept the VRS call from theincarcerated inmate, terminating the VRS call.
 53. The system of claim52, in which, in response to the input indicating that the called partydoes not accept the VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, the VRS callis terminated.
 54. The system of claim 51, in which the visualindication is automatically displayed on the VRS client based on a flagassociated with the incarcerated inmate that identifies the incarceratedinmate as a calling party.
 55. The system of claim 51, in which thevisual indication includes a sign language video.
 56. The system ofclaim 51, in which the visual indication includes a video of a staticimage.
 57. The system of claim 51, further programmed for, in responseto receiving no input within a predetermined period of time from thecalled party indicating whether the called party wishes to proceed withthe VRS call from the incarcerated inmate, allowing the video content ofthe VRS call to be conveyed between the called party and theincarcerated inmate.
 58. The system of claim 51, further programmed for,in response to receiving no input within a predetermined period of timefrom the called party, disconnecting the VRS call between the calledparty and the incarcerated inmate.
 59. The system of claim 51 furtherprogrammed for, after the VRS call is connected, displaying the visualindication as a video watermark for the duration of the VRS call. 60.The system of claim 51 wherein the visual indication includes a visualwarning that the call is being recorded.